Atwater Estate Vineyards - La Bourgade Neighbors

One mile from La Bourgade On Seneca, you’ll find a favorite local winery — Atwater Estate Vineyards. Owned and operated by Ted Marks since 2000, Atwater boasts 16 different varieties of grapes and produces a whopping eight thousand cases each year. (68% vinifera, 30% hybrid, 2% native varieties, for all you viticulture enthusiasts.)

Atwater winemakers Vinny Aliperti and George Nosis are in the midst of expanding vinifera acreage — namely Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. But that's not all. The duo continues to experiment with varieties like Syrah and even freeze grapes post-harvest to create their well-known ‘iced wine’.

ON FAVORITE WINES & PAIRINGS

We asked owner Marks about his favorite wines, but he wouldn’t name just one. “It depends on what I’m eating. We believe strongly in pairing wine with food,” Marks said.

“If you’re just having a drink, then a sparkling wine,” Marks conceded.

“We drift more to the white wines mainly because that’s what my wife likes — Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Chardonnay. They’re all quite balanced and fit in quite nicely. Or a sparkling wine at any occasion — you don’t need to wait for festive events!”